by Sam Juliano
An unconfirmed report at Awards Daily has revealed that acting icon Paul Newman, who has been fighting cancer for several years, has lost his battle. The report indicates that a close friend of Newman told Sasha Stone, who manages AW, that the acting legend passed away overnight, and that the news would be made public sometime Saturday morning. Newman, who won an Oscar for The Color of Money was 84, and was the longtime husband of actress Joanne Woodward. This is a sad day for movie lovers, many of whom, no doubt, have many of their own stories to tell, and of their own favorite films by this American treasure. R.I.P. Paul Newman.
I just posted about this incredibly sad news too, and it is devastating and shocking even though it was a long time coming.
R.I.P., Paul.
yeah, we knew this was coming, but we now have one less screen icon, and very few of his caliber are left, if any.
I loved him most in “The Huster,” “The Sting” and “Hud.”
Too bad about Paul Newman. He was a living legend, and now he’s gone, leaving us all so much poorer. My favorite of his roles was probably “The Hustler,” but he was great in so many others including “Sweet Bird of Youth” and some beautiful gangster film from a few years back. (I forgot the name)
A huge loss to world cinema, and as others have said the end of an era. I love him in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
One of the truly great actors of modern times is gone. I think many of us remember growing up with Newman’s film in the 60′s and 70′s, but he was enormously popular with people from all time periods. I know “Road To Perdition” was a terrific film, and before that, “Nobody’s Fool.” My favorite Newman performance was in “Hud.” The man can’t be replaced.
Yes, all of you mirror the pain and grief being experienced all over for this titan of American cinema. This is an incalcuable loss, regardless of the fact that we did know it was imminent.
I also was a big fan of this beautiful actor.
ZC at
Precious Bodily Fluid has posted a nice tribute to Newman, and I will reprise my comments to his post.
For me, Newman as Luke in Stuart Rosenberg’s Cool Hand Luke (1967), is etched in my memory: the gentle yet defiant outsider who had to be destroyed.
I re-watched the movie last year not long after my mother’s death, and the scene with the prodigal Luke, his resentful brother, and his dying mother in the back of the pick-up truck, is gut-wrenching. She knows he is doomed, and her pain is manifested in every word and gesture.
Paul Newman’s passing represents a huge loss.
That is indeed a wonderful scene from a great film, Tony.
i would suggest a retrospective along the lines of the famed Bergman summer ’07 be held in the Juliano basement to commemorate this influential and incredible talent.
Don’t encourage him, Jason, old boy, he could be at it for weeks. I think a one night bonanza might be best of three films. The Hustler and Hud demand to be two, the other can be open to debate.
Don’t know if we will be able to get this house ready for another long festival! But a one or two nighter might work.
Yes, especially if Bobby turns up and eats the usual rate of Doritos.
Full festivals for directors are fine, but for actors, a couple of nights max.
LOL on the “doritos” revelation!!!!!
THE STING WAS MY FAVORITE PAUL NEWMAN FILM—A GREAT LOSS.
what’s that about “doritos”?? I prefer pretzels.
Newman was one of my favorite actors too. Cool Hand Luke, The Sting, Butch Cassidy, Hud, The Hustler, Road To Perdition, all great performances.
TCM (USA) has scheduled a special Paul Newman Tribute movie marathon for Sunday, October 12:
6:00 AM The Rack
8:00 AM Until They Sail
10:00 AM Torn Curtain
12:15 PM Exodus
3:45 PM Sweet Bird of Youth
6:00 PM Hud
8:00 PM Somebody Up There Likes Me
10:00 PM Cool Hand Luke
12:15 AM Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
2:15 AM Rachel, Rachel
4:00 AM The Outrage